The objective of this program is to encourage and support new ownership of commercial farms in Nova Scotia. Program funds are intended to improve the financial stability of beginning farmers in the first years of operation, based on a four-year projected calculation of eligible loan interest on new loans only. We support the development of diverse and inclusive industries. We welcome individuals from all equity deserving communities including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, Black and African Nova Scotians, First Nations, Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQI+ and racialized individuals, to apply to programming.

Program Objectives: To help Nova Scotia farms and agri-businesses to be more competitive, manage transition, develop risk management strategies, and respond to change. The business advisory services offered under this program also supports an agriculture sector that can be proactive in business development and risk management decisions.

The On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is to enable producers to invest in advanced technology on their farm that will provide labour efficiencies, reduce cost of production, increase yields, and support more efficient use of inputs. Advanced Technology is defined as: a technology that is still immature but promises to deliver significant value, or that has some technical maturity but also may have relatively few users.

The objective of the Value-Adding Equipment Program is to support value-added businesses and increase local food production by assisting in the sustainability of farms and communities and improving food security in Nova Scotia. Value-added means the modification of a Nova Scotia agricultural product through the addition of ingredients or processes into a higher value food, beverage or agri-product including the creation of new value from agricultural waste products, by-products, or co-products.

The objective of the Get Growing Program is to support growth of small farms (those with annual gross commodity sales currently less than $30,000) through the adoption of specialized infrastructure or equipment. Projects should help the expansion of local agricultural production for local markets.

The Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program will support the Agricultural sector to reduce environmental risk and enhance environmental benefits, as well as reduce GHG emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This program will support primary producers to accelerate the adoption of priority Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) subject to completion of an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP).

The Market Opportunities and Diversification program will support local and export activities that enable eligible producers, processors, and industry associations to: • modify products and packaging to meet specific market requirements and preferences • support for marketing activities to meet changing requirements or emerging opportunities • sell quality agricultural, inside and outside of Nova Scotia • build capacity and take the steps necessary to ensure products and businesses are ready and able to compete in target markets

Experienced financial losses due to infrastructure or crop damage, livestock loss or extended power outages due to Hurricane Fiona.

The Apiculture Sustainability Growth and Health Program promotes hive health, pollination expansion and adoption of efficient technologies that help with labour shortages.

The Agriculture Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program is now available to help farmers in Nova Scotia unlock the benefits of sustainable and energy-efficient practices. The program is designed to support a wide range of eligible measures that align with Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Business Energy Rebates and Custom Energy Retrofits programs, as well as additional incentives for specific projects.Program benefits include:

• Improved cost effectiveness while introducing energy efficient updates across operations.

• Access to funding to start and complete new projects.

• Receive ongoing support from Efficiency Nova Scotia Energy Managers.

The Advancing Clean Technologies Program supports the adoption of clean technologies that help with climate change adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable and clean growth, and increasing value-added agricultural production.

The Wild Blueberry and Apple Harvest Efficiency Program supports the modernization of wild blueberry and apple harvesting equipment for growers to reduce labour requirements, increase productivity and improve profitability.

The objective of the Beef Abattoir and Processing Assistance program is to support increased capacity of Nova Scotia provincially licensed abattoirs and processors that serve the beef industry in the province. The program can provide up to 60 percent funding for eligible project costs; up to $15000 for abattoirs and $5000 for meat processors working with beef.

The Agricultural Research and Innovation Program supports applied research and innovation activities. It also supports on-farm trials that are intended to improve production, productivity, profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Nova Scotia’s agricultural sectors.

The On-farm Electrical Preparedness Program helps farms buy a backup generator and battery storage to support business continuity and preparedness for adverse weather.

The Limestone trucking assistance program aims to help Nova Scotia farms defray the cost of trucking limestone to give equal opportunity in neutralizing the acidity of the soil on agricultural land and improve production efficiencies.

Open to businesses in Nova Scotia interested in reducing the effects of climate change by investing in innovative and efficient new practices.